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Kayla Harrington: From Destruction to Redeeming Personal Health

For the tall, statuesque and graceful Kayla Harrington, dancing and modeling was a natural calling for her. As she broke into the world of modeling, she found herself engulfed with the pressures of having to be thinner than the next girl. A practice of unhealthy eating disorders entered her life and soon took a toll on her body. With the help and support of God, her family and friends, Kayla rebounded. She found a new passion in redeeming her personal health and is now helping others find their best body. Meet Kayla Harrington.

NAME: Kayla Harrington

HEIGHT: 6’0

WEIGHT:

Current/Off-season:145lbs & 15% Body Fat

Competition/Stage Weight: 137lbs & 10% Body Fat

Tell us about how you started your fitness journey.

As a recreational / competitive dancer from the ages of 3-17 and a competitive martial artist for a period of time,

I’ve been very blessed to be active and disciplined throughout my life. Perhaps surprisingly enough, I never

even set foot in a gym until I was about 18, when I hired a personal trainer for a time and then, like most, fell off

the bandwagon. After a successful fashion / runway modeling career in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and New

York City, I was a shell of the athletic girl I’d been my entire life. While I’d always been naturally thin for my

height, never had I concerned myself with what I was eating or what size I was. Until the pressures of modeling

took hold. I ate when I was hungry and wore whatever I liked that fit well. My dream of being a runway star was

ended prematurely (though not before wonderful experiences and blessings came my way) by my resorting to

disordered eating habits in an attempt to achieve the fragile, waif-like, and emaciated look of the models I was up

against in castings every day.

It was terrifying to realize that my unhealthy relationship with food and my mental outlook were making me ill.

Having always been a “perfectionist”, I struggled desperately to achieve and maintain a bodyweight of

110-115lbs, often spending up to 3 days on just water and Benefiber before big castings or photo shoots (I was

told this is the technique the Victoria’s Secret Angels used). Fattening junk food “binges” after these starvation

stints in the evenings or on weekends were then followed by the “purge” — obsessively exercising or misusing

laxatives and fat burners. At my lowest point I was too weak to work or go on castings and I hadn’t had my

menstrual cycle in at least a year; it was at this time when a good friend of mine helped me to understand and

admit (with confirmation and support from family) that I had a problem and needed to put my health first.

I wish I could say I exited gracefully, like I had so many times before during the final 8-count of a ballet number

or a Haute Couture designers fashion show. Unfortunately, in fear and insecurity, I frantically ran from NYC and

couldn’t reach my California home quickly enough. However, in this frenzy of clarity in knowing my priorities

were wacked, I decided to take action. I desperately wanted to be healthy; I wanted to enjoy food without the

guilt and shame associated with my disordered eating and I wanted to be physically strong and capable again. My

first step in faith that healing would come was empowering myself with knowledge. I bought and devoured my

first fitness certification and immediately began applying what I was learning to myself. Little did I know that my

decision to discover redeemed health would lead to a new career I am passionate about and a business by the

same name, “Redeeming Health Personal Training, LLC”. It took a long time before I felt completely free, but

thanks to the love, patience and support of my family and the healing found in my Savior, Jesus Christ, I was set

free, indeed. My health has been redeemed [Smiles].

What are your fitness accomplishments?

#1 Breaking my disordered eating pattern and getting healthy!#2 Client success. I truly celebrate my clients progress like it’s my own, I am so proud of them.#3 Qualifying at my first Bikini Competition for NPC Nationals! I am proud of every ounce of sweat I put into

my 2013 season. Nationals was such a privilege to be a part of.

What is your motivation to continue?

I think this quote really captures the essence of my thoughts on this question, “Walking your talk is a great way

to motivate yourself. No one likes to live a lie. Be honest with yourself, and you will find the motivation to do

what you advise others to do.” As a competitor there has to be intrinsic motivation that is hard to explain. But

apart from competing, this is the lifestyle I’m confident I’m meant to live. It isn’t entirely unlike when you meet

“the one” and you just KNOW you’re meant to spend the rest of your life with that person — regardless of the

hard times to come. I trust that my story has a purpose to help and inspire others. I’m just grateful and blessed to

have found an avenue by which I can bless people so tangibly.

What do you think the best piece of advice you ever received was (Fitness Related)?

“Do not fear your failure.” From my coach, Lou Aquino. In the gym, failure is when you can’t possibly eek out

even ONE more repetition of the exercise you’re doing. Ironically, it’s THAT very failure that makes you

stronger and primed for success the next time you step up to that exercise. This sentiment reminds me of the

Winston Churchill quote, “Success is not final, failure is not fatal; it is the courage to continue that counts.”

What is the best piece of advice you can give someone interested in transforming their body?

#1 Fall in love with the process – not just the idea / end result. If you aren’t enjoying the journey to a better you,

how will you know when you’ve “arrived?’ If you’re miserable on a diet then it’s not going to become a

maintainable lifestyle for you and it’s time to try something different. Same goes for exercise: You have to enjoy

it! At least MOST of the time. I still have days where I’m not feeling it and I don’t WANT to eat that or go to the

gym [laughs]! That is where your ultimate goal steps in as motivation to get you over the speed-bump.

#2 Keep in mind that transforming your body requires a transformation of the mind and heart. As a western

culture we so often look at the aspects of our lives compartmentally. Instead, try to re-wire your outlook to

appreciate yourself holistically. Your body cannot go where your mind does not allow it, so break free from any

bondage your mind or your emotions may have you under, and watch as your body physically begins to live out

that freedom!#3 Find a reputable coach you trust and connect with. I believe in the importance of a coach so much I not only

AM one for so many people but I HAVE one, myself. A good coach is an invaluable asset to have on your team in

order to succeed.

What does your diet consist of?

Real, unprocessed, organic foods. I stay clear of gluten as a general rule, try my best to buy only Non-GMO

products, and mostly align with the Paleo style of eating. I’ve been “Reverse Dieting” this off-season — a protocol

where one rebuilds their metabolism slowly and methodically in order to add on additional healthy calories daily

without gaining large amounts of body fat. It is tedious, but much healthier in the long run than binge-eating on

all of the food you couldn’t have on competition prep/restrictive diets (guilty)! If you are interested in learning

more about the science and reasoning behind this protocol, please check out Layne Norton’s extensive video

Currently, I am a little over 14wks out of my first 2014 competition. The calories and macronutrients I just

mentioned will be changing over the next few months to get me ready!

What is your training regimen like?

My coach has had me on a 4-days per week weight training schedule (with new programming every 3 to 4 weeks)

and NO cardio (happy, happy, happy!) We like to lift heavier during off season and put all those extra calories to

work. This challenges / strengthens my nervous system as well as my muscles and joints. For my body, and what

we have been working on in order to improve my symmetry in 2014, my week looks like this:

Monday: LegsTuesday: Shoulders / ArmsWednesday: OFFThursday: Legs

Friday: Back / ShouldersSaturday: Sometimes I will train my glutes / abs, other weeks I’ve needed an extra day of rest.Sunday: OFF

Moving forward and into full-blown prep mode my workouts will change in intensity, programming, and

frequency. When it’s prep time, it’s go time. I just find my zone and Nike up, “Just Do It”. Each prep is different

and you have to be intensely tuned in to your body along the way (as with any transformation process). It’s a

rewarding challenge.

What are your thoughts on supplementation? What do you take and Why?

I believe supplementation is very important, especially when requiring as much from your body as athletes do.

However, I am adamant that supplements are just that — supplemental to your diet. You should be eating enough

daily to hit your required macros and get as much quality micro nutrients as you can from colorful and rich

foods. That being said, my supplement list is extensive and ultra-personalized during prep so I will list the staples

I use year-round.

#1 Whey Protein – any flavor, granted the sugar is kept under control. I like having Chocolate and Vanilla on

hand for shakes and baking. And it’s nice to change it up flavor wise with different brands. My favorite brand on

prep due to their quality and cost-effectiveness is Protein Factory: Mega Whey in chocolate.#2 Glutamine – glutamine is really important for the immune system and for recovery post-workout.#3 Animal RAGE – this is my FAVORITE pre-workout supplement. When calories and energy are running low

during prep this gets me through. I like the pills because, for some reason, I cannot stomach liquid pre-workouts;

they never mix well enough that I can get past the texture or taste. RAGE also doesn’t have any creatine which is

great because I can continue to use it during prep and not just during off season.#4 Magnesium & Zinc
I do not use fat burners. And I’ll admit I’m guilty of being terribly inconsistent with taking my multi vitamins!